Cash grant given after Birkenhead riot will fund town centre improvements

GOVERNMENT funding to help areas affected by the riots of 2011 will be used to improve Birkenhead town centre.

A grant of £100,000 has been made available to Wirral Council which will be used to "add vibrancy" to the shopping area and attract investors.

Town centre traders will be consulted on how best to spend the cash, and the local authority will work on the project with Wirral Chamber of Commerce.

The idea behind the scheme is to set up Birkenhead as a "Business Improvement District" (BID).

In August of 2011, Wirral became caught up in riots that began in London and then swept across the country.

A mob rampaged through the town smashing windows and looting items from shops.

Two cars were set alight near Grange Road and dozens of rioters were arrested, including an 11-year-old boy.

The civil unrest shook the Government and the following year, a £10m package of measures to assist areas hit by the disturbances was announced.

Wirral Council is one of 100 local authorities across the country chosen to receive funding.

At a meeting of the council's ruling cabinet on Thursday, regeneration spokesman Cllr Pat Hackett said: “I believe this will add greatly to the vibrancy and potential for the town centre to grow and attract greater investment.

"High streets are a very visible indicator of how well a local community and economy is thriving.

“They are recognised as important places where communities come together, and they provide employment and business opportunities.

“However, they cannot simply rely on retail – they have to offer something new and different that neither shopping centres nor the internet can match.”

He said the Chamber of Commerce was chosen as a partner because of its strong links with town centre traders though its "Business Watch" scheme.

A "BID" steering group will be formed, chaired by Cllr Brian Kenny, who will manage activities on a day-to-day basis.

Specific details of its improvement proposals will be announced at a later date.

Comments

It will just about pay for a pair of stocks to put the councillors in so we can throw wet sponges and rotting vegetables at them!

Birkenhead and Vibrant should not be put in the same sentence.
Dull and drab by day- Dangerous and risky by night!

Drop in the ocean really £100,000 what will that buy?
It will just about pay for a pair of stocks to put the councillors in so we can throw wet sponges and rotting vegetables at them!
Birkenhead and Vibrant should not be put in the same sentence.
Dull and drab by day- Dangerous and risky by night!WirralAl

Drop in the ocean really £100,000 what will that buy?

It will just about pay for a pair of stocks to put the councillors in so we can throw wet sponges and rotting vegetables at them!

Birkenhead and Vibrant should not be put in the same sentence.
Dull and drab by day- Dangerous and risky by night!

Score: 5

rover600
1:15pm Fri 11 Apr 14

Hmmm interesting that it's taken 3 years for this funding to appear and "Chosen to" or was it more like 'applied for'?

I hope it's spent wisely hope some of it makes its way into the street clean up crews hands, our street (Grange Mount/Grosvenor Road is currently the equivalent of a giant toilet for dogs and their inconsiderate owners who refuse to even contemplate cleaning up after their dogs!

Hmmm interesting that it's taken 3 years for this funding to appear and "Chosen to" or was it more like 'applied for'?
I hope it's spent wisely hope some of it makes its way into the street clean up crews hands, our street (Grange Mount/Grosvenor Road is currently the equivalent of a giant toilet for dogs and their inconsiderate owners who refuse to even contemplate cleaning up after their dogs!rover600

Hmmm interesting that it's taken 3 years for this funding to appear and "Chosen to" or was it more like 'applied for'?

I hope it's spent wisely hope some of it makes its way into the street clean up crews hands, our street (Grange Mount/Grosvenor Road is currently the equivalent of a giant toilet for dogs and their inconsiderate owners who refuse to even contemplate cleaning up after their dogs!

Score: 6

artemis81
1:33pm Fri 11 Apr 14

Some could argue the riots themselves provided a certain 'vibrancy'...

Some could argue the riots themselves provided a certain 'vibrancy'...artemis81

Some could argue the riots themselves provided a certain 'vibrancy'...

Score: 5

Carehaul
2:18am Wed 16 Apr 14

Hi, I am from up here in Newcastle. I am 36 and been here 32 years, I was brought up to have respect for my surroundings and thus resulting in me appreciating whatever my lot in life. Thank you idiots for letting the good folks down. You're not birkonians.oh, and like I said, I was raised with pride and respect, the bit I forgot to add was, I originally come from the large clan Anson. Birkenhead North End.

Hi, I am from up here in Newcastle. I am 36 and been here 32 years, I was brought up to have respect for my surroundings and thus resulting in me appreciating whatever my lot in life. Thank you idiots for letting the good folks down. You're not birkonians.oh, and like I said, I was raised with pride and respect, the bit I forgot to add was, I originally come from the large clan Anson. Birkenhead North End.Carehaul

Hi, I am from up here in Newcastle. I am 36 and been here 32 years, I was brought up to have respect for my surroundings and thus resulting in me appreciating whatever my lot in life. Thank you idiots for letting the good folks down. You're not birkonians.oh, and like I said, I was raised with pride and respect, the bit I forgot to add was, I originally come from the large clan Anson. Birkenhead North End.

Score: 0

keith3028
4:43pm Thu 17 Apr 14

It's a pity the money wasn't used to help the original Chamber of Commerce who were seeking a 'Business Improvement District' for the area, however, without Council support. Surprising how they now wish to advance such a proposal with the new 'independent' Chamber of Commerce which is mainly run by ex-Council employees (who took early voluntary redundancy) and who have senior Council staff on their Board.....isn't it nice to see democracy working to the advantage of the people!!! (or are they continuing to 'feather their own nests') I know which scenario I believe.......

It's a pity the money wasn't used to help the original Chamber of Commerce who were seeking a 'Business Improvement District' for the area, however, without Council support. Surprising how they now wish to advance such a proposal with the new 'independent' Chamber of Commerce which is mainly run by ex-Council employees (who took early voluntary redundancy) and who have senior Council staff on their Board.....isn't it nice to see democracy working to the advantage of the people!!! (or are they continuing to 'feather their own nests') I know which scenario I believe.......keith3028

It's a pity the money wasn't used to help the original Chamber of Commerce who were seeking a 'Business Improvement District' for the area, however, without Council support. Surprising how they now wish to advance such a proposal with the new 'independent' Chamber of Commerce which is mainly run by ex-Council employees (who took early voluntary redundancy) and who have senior Council staff on their Board.....isn't it nice to see democracy working to the advantage of the people!!! (or are they continuing to 'feather their own nests') I know which scenario I believe.......

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